La Gran Aventura: Day 61-66

Day 61 started as we left our hostel in Puerto Iguasu and began the two day trek to Buenos Aires. Just south of Iguasu we passed through an area with pine trees and cabins that was reminiscent of northern Wisconsin (I even had the photos to prove it - on stolen computer!).

Once we headed further south the weather cooled off a LOT and we finished the last four hours riding in temps of 48 degrees and rain - welcome to a winter cold front in Argentina. Conor was getting really cold as we finished off the day in a cheapie hotel in Cuatro Bocas (Four Mouths) with gas station sandwiches. - Jay

Day 62 - The cold was not going to get the best of us and this was what I wore the last day of riding under my motorcycle jacket. We were expecting rain, 30 mph winds, and a 38 degree temperature. I'm wearing 6 layers of clothing at this point. - Conor

This was our secret weapon for the day - a battery-powered heated vest. This worked great for about four hours and then the batteries died out. Fortunately, the sun came out for a few hours just as the batteries died. - Jay

This is me lubing the chain. A process we had to do every 500 miles or when we rode through mud or rain.- Conor

Right about noon the sun was shining and we stumbled on this German market. Ready for lunch we stopped to check it out. - Jay

All things meat and cheese packed the buildings. It turns out this was a major retail center for many of the German communities in Argentina. Everything in the shop was made in Argentina according to old German recipes and techniques. - Jay

We stocked up for future lunches and sat at this picnic table and feasted in the sunshine. - Jay

A little further down the road I grabbed a bag of mandarines for the future - fresh picked from nearby trees ($2.00). - Jay

About two hours north of BA we hit rain again but we made up for it by rolling into town (and our hostel) without getting lost. It's amazing what street signs and numbers will do for navigation. - Jay

The Hostel Estoril was located on the second floor of this building on the famous Ave. de Mayo right in the heart of Buenos Aires. - Jay

By the time we started to unload it was getting dark and we moved all our gear inside this door to our hostel and two others.

Conor and I made one trip up the stairs (carrying tank bags and smaller items) and then we returned two minutes later to retrieve our two big black bags. The problem was that there was only ONE black bag left when we came down the stairs. Someone had grabbed my bag with all my clothes, computer, calendars, etc.. We searched the street and neighborhood and the bag was simply gone. The police said that someone probably followed us in, snatched the bag, and fled in a car. What an awful feeling!

On Day 63 we recovered from the theft and began the process of shipping the bikes back to the U.S. - Conor

Dakar Motos helped with the paperwork process and we all enjoyed standing outside in the 30 degree temps for this picture. - Conor

Discussing pick up and drop off times and locations. Amazingly helpful family. - Conor

After getting the shipping process started (a multi-day process) we ran across a shop selling Royal Enfields. This is a Royal Enfield Bullet 500. Kind of nice.- Conor

There is talk of doing a trip to India in which we would use this bike.- Conor

This bike is acutally made in India making it very affordable and the top candidate for our bike in the India Adventure.- Conor

I test rode it. Big fan.- Conor

Day 64. We came to the Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (Cargo Area) to continue the shipment process for our bikes.- Conor

We weighed our bikes then brought them to a pallet and made the bike as compact as possible by removing such things as the windshield and mirrors.- Conor

We also took off the panniers. The bike was then strapped to the pallet securing it.- Conor

It was then loaded and brought to customs for an inspection.- Conor

The customs officers didn't like this photo being taken.- Conor

They were then shrink wrapped and sealed.- Conor

I'm going to miss my best friend. We finished the trip with a total of 12,150 miles. - Conor

On Day 65 we went downtown to pay for the shipment. We anticipated a price of about $1,800/bike but it turned out to be only $1,100 because of the favorable black market rate we received when changing USD to Argentinian pesos. This savings offset the loss of the one black bag. - Jay

On Day 66 we took a yellow bus tour of BA. Pictured here is the famous Plaza de Mayo, site of the first monument in the city and various protests.

In the late 70s this was the site of the silent marches of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo who were demanding justice for the 30,000 desaparecidos (people kidnapped and killed by the military during the years of the junta). - Jay

Ave. de Julio is another famous street in BA which is often called the Paris of South America.Even though this is one of the 20 largest cities in the world you would never know it. Traffic was very manageable and the people were the friendliest of any large city I've been in. - Jay

Obelisco de Buenos Aires which is located in the Plaza de la República. - Jay

Another view of the famous Obelisco. - Jay

BA is known for its European style architecture and the building of the National Congress is a prime example of the style. This was located only 1.5 blocks from our hostel. - Jay

Soccer is alive and well in Argentina and this is the home neighborhood of the Rocas. A large stadium is nearby. - Jay

A typical fruiteria. - Jay

Near the port area there is a section of ultra-modern buildings designed by leading Argentinian and European architects. - Jay

Getting a haircut in a foreign country is always an interesting cultural experience. This old school barber shop provided the best cut I've ever had. - Jay

Our quest for the perfect steak continued - this one was about a 7 on the 1-10 scale. Pictured on the upper right is chimichurri sauce which is made from finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, and white or red wine vinegar. This type of sauce is also used in Uruguay to some extent. - Jay

On Day 67 we made a trip to the Museum of Latin American Art (MALBA). A really popular special exhibit by a Japanese artist was underway - hence the huge line. - Jay

The artist, Yoyoi Kusama, was really into dots and this walk through room was amazing. - Jay